King’s speech sets out Labour’s plans for cyber security, digital and data
- 17 July 2024
- King's Speech introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
- The Digital Information and Smart Data Bill was also announced
- Expected legislation on AI was not introduced
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plans to introduce legislation for cyber security, digital and data were outlined in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024.
The measures were among 40 bills announced by King Charles III as he outlined the government’s priorities, as part of the State Opening of Parliament.
A new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will be introduced to expand regulation to cover more digital services and supply chains, empower regulators to ensure cyber security measures and mandate increased incident reporting to improve the government’s response to cyber attacks.
It follows the ransomware attack on pathology provider Synnovis on 3 June 2024 which has caused ongoing disruption to services in south east London.
NHS England data, published on 11 July 2024, show that on the fifth week of reporting (1-7 July), 6,199 acute outpatient appointments and 1,491 elective procedures had been postponed at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust since the attack.
Meanwhile, the National Cyber Security Centre issued an alert on 9 July 2024 that China state-sponsored actors have evolved their techniques for launching cyber attacks.
King Charles also announced a Digital Information and Smart Data Bill, which will enable new, “innovative” uses of data to help boost the economy.
The new legislation will establish digital verification services including digital identity products to help people quickly and securely identify themselves when they use online services.
The King’s Speech did not include an AI bill, which had been expected, but outlined how the government would “seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models”.
Think tank the Health Foundation raised concerns about the lack of strategy for adopting AI in the NHS and called for the prioritisation of an AI roadmap in its report published on 26 June 2024.
Meanwhile on 12 July 2024, the European Union approved the Artificial Intelligence Act to regulate AI systems across its 27 Member States. The act is due to come into force on 1 August 2024.
King Charles also outlined the government’s plans to improve the NHS by reducing waiting times, focusing on prevention and improving mental health provision for young people.
Responding to the King’s Speech, Dame Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, said: “Getting the NHS back on its feet will need long term investment and reform.
“We welcome the commitment to tackling long waits for care and the focus on prevention.
“There are no quick fixes, but the NHS can recover with the right blend of policy change, innovation and investment”.
Tom Whicher, chief executive and co-founder of DrDoctor, added: “While promising, we’re eager to see the legislation that Wes Streeting begins introducing with urgency to execute his ambitions such as reducing waiting times.
“Technology is here as a partner to the new government, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s used”.
